Manta Bay - North Malé Atoll

Manta Bay, up in North Malé, is exactly what it sounds like. We’re talking a consistent spot for manta ray encounters, particularly during the southwest monsoon from May to November. It’s a shallow reef, topping out at 18 metres, which makes it an easy dive for anyone, even newer divers. You anchor up, drop down, and find a sandy patch to kneel on, then just wait for the mantas to cruise in for a clean. Beyond the main show, there are usually reef sharks circling the periphery and plenty of fusiliers in the current.

Location
North Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.540900, 73.612900
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
18m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: K.Huraa Kan'doo Faa Sarahahdhu

Best Time to Dive in North Malé Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in North Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.9°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in North Malé Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Manta Bay

Marine Life in North Malé Atoll

Home to 101 recorded species including 42 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Manta Bay

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 10 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories